Cantilevered drapery processing machine

ABSTRACT

A low clearance high speed machine for processing draperies includes upper frame carrying drapery support means, the upper frame having legs which are pivotally secured relative to spaced apart members of a base unit so that drapery support means is cantilevered relative to the base unit. The top portion of the drapery may be secured to the drapery support means with the frame swung about its pivots to define a lower position for the drapery support means. The frame may then be swung about its pivots to swing the drapery support means to an upper position where the frame may be secured relative to the base unit to retain the drapery support means in the upper position. A vertical movable pleater bar mounted between the spaced apart members can engage the bottom of the drapery for stretching it.

United States Patent Clement June 17, 1975 CANTILEVERED DRAPERY PROCESSING MACHINE 57 ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Vernon Clemgm 9 westboro A low clearance high speed machine for processing Sacramento 95823 draperies includes upper frame carrying drapery sup- [22] Filed; On. 23, 1974 port means. the upper frame having legs which are pivotally secured relative to spaced apart members of [2]] App! 517l70 a base unit so that drapery support means is cantilevered relative to the base unit. The top portion of the [52] U.S. Cl. 223/32 r p ry may be sec red to the drapery support means [51] Int. Cl. A41h 43/00; D06j 1/00 i h he frame swung about its pivots to define a lower [58] Field of Search 223/28-35 position f r h r p ry pp rt means. The frame may then be swung about its pivots to swing the drap- [56] R f en Cit d ery support means to an upper position where the UNITED STATES PATENTS frame may be secured relative to the base unit to retain the drapery support means in the upper position.

3'352332 353% 21325231::::::::::::::::::::::: 333533 A vereeel meveble pleeeee be mounted between the Primary ExaminerGeo V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or FirmPhillips, Moore, Weissenberger, Lempio & Strabala spaced apart members can engage the bottom of the drapery for stretching it.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 94 7 WE 9o 32 I ?0 |mum||||Immlmmmlmmimm so CANTILEVERED DRAPERY PROCESSING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to drapery processing machines, and more particularly, to such a machine which utilizes a cantilevered frame for conveniently moving drapery support means upwardly and downwardly.

Due to the wide acceptance of draperies in commercial buildings and in homes in recent years. an increased number of draperies are being cleaned and processed in commercial establishments annually. As a direct result of the emphasis of this type of window covering. the cleaning business has been introduced to a number of drapery processing machines. such as those disclosed in my US. Pat. No. 3.667.659. and my US. Pat. No. 3.613.967. Further machines of this general type are disclosed in:

U.S. Pat. No. 2.850.218 to Gibson et al. US. Pat. No. 2.699.010 to Reed. U.S. Pat. No. 2.837.257 to Gibson et al. US. Pat. No. 2.954.901 to Bird. U.S. Pat. No. 3.058.634 to Wieneke. U.S. Pat. No. 3.122.290 to Mitchell. U.S. Pat. No. 3.279.661 to Kirche. U.S. Pat. No. 3.297.215 to Soto. U.S. Pat. No. 3.424.356 to Getchell et al. U.Sv Pat. No. 3.613.968 to Kirche, US. Pat. No. 3.445.044 to Boyes, U.S. Pat. No. 3.147.895 to Boyes. U.S. Pat. No. 3.154.228 to Klint. U.S. Pat. No. 3.506.169 to Hales. U.S. Pat. No. 2.921.725 to Di- Torrice. U.S. Pat. No. 2.699.010 to Reed. and U.S. Pat. No. 3.315.852 to Getchell et a1.

Subsequent to the installation of draperies in commercial buildings and/or homes. it is often necessary to periodically have these draperies cleaned and/or dyed. depending on the particular environmental conditions and/or decor changes. Machines such as those referred to above may in some instances be used to stretch. size. etc.. draperies after they have been bulk cleaned so that the draperies will be returned. cleaned. pressed and sized to fit the window installations from which they were removed for cleaning.

Most prior art drapery processing machines. of which some of the above group of machines are typical. employ a rigid rectangular frame having a height greater than the maximum length of the longest draperies which can be processed in the machine. With current day floor-to-ceiling draperies whose height often exceeds eight feet. it will be understood that these machines are cumbersome in use in many buildings, because of low ceilings and door frames.

My U.S. Pat. No. 3.667.659 of the above group utilizes a telescoping system so that the machine height need only be extended to that necessary to accommodate a particular length of drapery. and a high frame need not be incorporated in order to achieve maximum flexibility in the length of draperies which can be processed.

It is to be understood that while such apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3.667.659 is quite efficient in operation. it is desirable to develop such a design so as to even further increase the efficiency. utility. and convenience of use of such apparatus.

Of more general interest in this area are US. Pat. No. 788.081 to Wolkau. U.S. Pat. No. 1.217.874 to Matthews. ct a1. U.S. Pat. No. 2.437.084 to Esecson. U.S. Pat. No. 2.665.827 to Michlin. U.S. Pat. No. 2.064.732 to Clark. et al. U.S. Pat. No. 1.410.653 to Clark, et a]. LIS. Pat. No. 3.156.583 to Vandenberg. et a1. U.S. Pat.

No 3.385.484 to Therkildsen, U.S. Pat. No. 3.439.438 to Tuskos. and US. Pat. No. 3.464.600 to McClintock. et a1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a drapery processing machine which utilizes a pivotable cantilevered frame with which is associated drapery support means. to provide relatively easy access to such drapery support means upon pivoting of the frame in one direction. meanwhile raising the drapery support means to a proper height on pivoting of the frame in the other direction rapidly extending the machine to a height necessary to support the drapery lengthwise therein.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a drapery processing machine which, while fulfilling the above object, is capable of proper processing of the drapery involved.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a drapery processing machine which. while fulfilling the above objects. is extremely simple and efficient in design. and convenient for use.

Broadly stated, the drapery processing machine which is the subject of this invention comprises a base unit having two spaced apart members, and a frame pivotally mounted to the spaced-apart members. A cantilevered drapery support means is included on a projecting end of the frame, and is operable to secure the top folds of the drapery. Such drapery support means are connected with the frame to swing generally therewith to a lower position upon pivoting of the frame in one direction. and to an upper position upon pivoting of the frame in the other direction whereby the drapery is quickly extended to its full length. Means are included for selectively securing the frame relative to the spaced apart members with the drapery support means in the upper position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects in the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the drapery processing machine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the drapery support means thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the machine. showing its use, with the frame thereof in the vertical position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofa portion of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another portion of the machine as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, showing the drapery pleater bar of the machine;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation. with portions removed. of the machine;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the bracket of the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the drive mechanism for the drapery pleater bar;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the area 10-40 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Shown generally in FIG. 1 is the drapery processing machine 20. Such drapery processing machine includes a base unit 22 which in turn includes a bottom portion 24 and a two upright spaced-apart members 26,28 fixed to the bottom portion 24. A frame is positioned adjacent the upper ends of the spaced-apart members 26,28, and includes a generally U-shaped portion 32, the legs 34,36 of which have tabs 38,40 respectively fixed thereto. Each of these tabs 38,40 is pivotally secured to a member 26,28. The legs 34,36 are tubular in configuration, and the frame 30 further includes a first elongated tubular member 42 slidable along and within the leg 34, and a second elongated tu bular member 44 slidable along and within the leg 36. This arrangement allows the frame to be easily adjusted for draperies of differing lengths as more freely ex plained hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plate 46 is fixed to elongated member 42. Likewise, a corresponding plate 48 is fixed to elongated member 44. Pivotally secured to these plates 46,48 by means such as bolts are respective plates 50,52.

A support bar 54 extends between and is fixed to the plates 50,52. Such bar 54 acts as a finger support member for supporting a finger assembly 55 made up of a plurality of fingers through which the bar 54 is disposed. These fingers 56 which are employed to hold the folds of the header of a drapery are slidable and movable along the finger support member 54, except for the finger 56 most adjacent to the plate 50, which is secured to such plate 50. Springs 58 interconnect certain spaced apart fingers 56 of the series as shown, so that the fingers 56 are resiliently urged together by such springs 58. By using this arrangement the force required to separate the fingers does not get excessive as each spring only controls certain blocks of fingers.

Pivotally secured to the member 28 adjacent tab is a bar 60, which in turn has another bar 62 disposed generally therealong. A plurality of holes 64 are defined by each bar 60,62 and a wing nut and bolt assembly 66, associated with registered holes 64 fixes bar 62 to bar 60. A link member 68 has one end pivotally connected to the extending end of the bar 62, and the other end fixed to plate 52. The leg 36 and bar 44 are secured together by a wing bolt assembly 70, so that upon removal of the wing nut and bolt assembly 66 and the wing bolt assembly 70, the member 44 may be slid relative to the leg 36, and the bar 62 may be moved along the bar 60.

The opposite leg 34 and elongated member 42 also have a wing bolt assembly 71 associated therewith, and it will be seen that, through the above described means, the distance between the frame-spaced apart members pivot axis and the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means 90 may be varied and set in any of a plural ity of positions.

Pivotally fixed relative to the plate 52 and to the finger support member 54 is a handle member 72. Such handle member 72 is positioned on one side of the plurality of fings 56 as shown. A rod member 74 is pivotally secured to the handle member 72, and extends along the finger assembly 55 to the other side thereof, A bracket 76, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, is slidably mounted on the finger support member 54 on the other side of the finger assembly 55, opposite the mounting position of the handle member 72, and includes a base portion 78 disposed about the finger support member 54, an upper portion 80 movably mounted thereon, and a locking member 82 pivotally mounted on the base portion 78 by means of a bolt 84 and having the axis of its circular outer periphery 86 spaced from the pivot axis defined by the bolt 84. Such circular outer periphery 86 is disposed in a circular aperture 88 defined by the upper portion 80, so that it will be seen that rotating the locking member 82 in one direction draws the upper portion 80 inward so that the rod member 74 is gripped between a portion of the upper portion 80 and a portion of the base 78. Rotation of the locking mem ber 82 in the other direction, it will be seen, releases the rod member 74.

The frame 30 as described is thus pivotally mounted to the spaced apart member 26,28, and the fingers 56 and finger support member 54 make up drapery support means 90 which are operable to secure the top folds of a drapery, as will be described. The drapery support means 90, it will be seen, move generally with the frame 30 to a lower position upon pivoting of the frame 30 in one direction to the position shown in FIG. 1. Pivoting of the frame 30 in the other direction moves the drapery support means 90 to an upper position, and it is to be noted that, because of the pivotal link means including link member 68 and plate 52, the drapery support means 90 remains in substantially the same orientation (fingers projecting horizontally) about the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means 90 upon such pivotal movement of the frame 30. It should also be noted that the frame 30 is cantilevered in construction, so as to provide relatively easy and convenient pivoting thereof.

Means as shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 10 are included for selectively holding the frame 30 in a substantially vertical position (which also determines the upper position of the drapery support means 90). As shown in FIG. 10, member 28 has fixed thereto an open ended member 96, which in turn has pivotally fixed thereto a securing member 98. The frame 30 has a protrusion fixed thereto, which is sized and positioned so that upon pivoting of the frame 30 relative to the spaced apart members 26,28, the protrusion 100 will seat in the open end 97 of the member 96. The securing member 98 may be pivoted by means of rearward movement of a locking handle 102 to secure the protrusion 100 in the slot 97. In such situations, the frame 30 is secured in a substantially vertical position as described above. The handle 102 may be pulled forwardly to pivot the securing member 98 upward as shown in FIG. 10, whereby the frame 30 may be pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 1.

The spaced apart members 26,28 are generally hollow in configuration, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and define substantially vertical slots 104,106 respectively. Disposed in the slots 104,106 are respective end arms 108,110, and running between these arms 108,110 are bars 114,116,118. A plurality of fingers are slidably mounted on the bar 116 to be movable therealong, and these fingers 120 are connected by a flexible substantially inextensible member 122 which allows the fingers 120 to be spaced apart to an extent. A handle member 124, rod member 126, and bracket 128, similar to the above-described handle member 72, rod member 74 and bracket 76 are associated with the bars in a similar manner to that described above. Such elements described make up a drapery pleater bar 142 which extends between the spaced apart members 26,28. A chain 130 is disposed about a sprocket 134, both of which are rotatably mounted reiative to the member 28. and the ends of the chain 130 are secured to an angle member 136 fixed to arm 110, as shown in FIG. 9. A rotatable handle 138 is mounted to the member 28 and has a sprocket 140 fixed thereto. Rotation of the handle 138 in one direction moves the drapery pleater bar 142 upwardly along the spaced apart members 26,28, and rotation of the handle 138 in the other direction moves the drapery pleater bar 142 downwardly along the spaced apart members 26,28.

In the use of the device 20, the securing member 98 is moved through movement of the handle 102, to release the protrusion 100. This allows the frame 30 to be pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 1. The positioning of the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means 90 relative to the frame 30 spaced apart mernbers 26.28 pivot axis may be varied and set as shown above. depending on the height of the drapes to be processed. Portions of drape 144 are inserted between adjacent fingers 56. This is done with the handle member 72 pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 1, and the bracket 76 spaced from the end finger 56. Upon proper positioning of the drape portions between the fingers 52, the bracket 76 is moved along the rod member 74 and finger support member 54 until the face thereof contacts the end finger 56. The bracket 76 is then locked in place relative to the rod member 74 by turning the locking member 82 as described above, and the handle member 72 is pivoted to an outward position as best shown in FIG. 4. Such movement of the handle member 72 causes the bracket 76 to urge the fingers 56 relatively together along the finger support member 54, so that the drapery support means 90 securely hold the drape 144.

The frame 30 is then pivoted into its vertical position as shown in FIG. 4, wherein the drapery support means 90 are in their upper position, and may be locked therein by movement of handle 102. The drapery pleater bar 142 may then be raised or lowered by rotation of the handle 138 to properly position it relative to the bottom edge of the drape 144. With the bracket I28 spaced from the end finger 120 of the pleater bar 142, portions of the lower end of the drape 144 are inserted between adjacent fingers 120. The bracket 128 is then moved so that the face thereof is in contact with the end finger I20, and is locked and secured to the rod member 126. The handle member 124 is then pivoted from its previously chosen inward position to an out ward position, urging the fingers 120 together, as described above in relation to the fingers 56.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, a steam wand 146 is included with the apparatus 20, and is now actuated to steam the drape 144 in a well known manner. The drape 144 may be tensioned by rotating the handle 138 to move the pleater bar 142 downwardly relative to the support means 90 if chosen. The drape 144 may be banded as necessary, and the handle member 72 then is moved to its outward position. moving the bracket 128 away from the end finger 120, to release the fingers 120 to allow the fingers 120 to be selectively spread apart along the finger support member 116. The handle 102 is then moved to release protrusion 100, allowing the frame 30 to be pivoted to move the pleater support means to its lower position, and the handle 72 may be pivoted to its inward position, moving the bracket 76 along the finger support member 54, to release the fingers S6, to in turn allow the fingers 56 to be selectively spread apart along the finger support member 54. The drape 144 is then moved to a bagging jack 150, and a bag 152 may be pulled over the fully processed drape 144 for protection thereof.

It is to be seen that the pivotal movement of the frame 30 as described above allows for extremely efficient and convenient operation of the machine. The frame 30 may be adjusted to properly receive a variety of lengths of drape, and provides for proper holding and tensioning of such drape as it is processed.

What is claimed is:

1. A drapery processing machine comprising:

a base unit having two spaced-apart members;

a frame pivotally mounted to the spaced-apart members;

drapery support means operable to secure the top folds of a drapery, said drapery support means being connected with said frame to swing generally therewith to a lower position upon pivoting of the frame in one direction, and to an upper position upon pivoting of the frame in the other direction; and

means for selectively securing the frame relative to the spacedapart members with the drapery sup' port means in said upper position.

2. The machine of claim 1 and further comprising a drapery pleater bar for gripping the lower pleats of a drapery, said drapery pleater bar extending between the spaced-apart members and movably mounted thereto to be moved vertically upwardly and downwardly along the spaced-apart members, and means for selectively moving the drapery pleater bar upwardly and downwardly relative to the spaced apart members.

3. The machine of claim 1 and further comprising pivotal link means interconnecting the drapery support means and frame for providing that the drapery support means remain in substantially the same orientation about the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means upon pivotal movement of the frame relative to the spaced-apart members.

4. The machine of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a cantilevered frame pivotally mounted to the spaced-apart members.

5. The machine of claim 4 wherein said cantilevered frame comprises a generally U shaped portion the legs of which are pivotally secured relative to the spacedapart members, a first elongated member slidable along one of said legs, and a second elongated member slidable along the other of said legs, the drapery support means being associated with said first and second elongated members, and means for selectively securing each elongated member relative to its associated leg in a plurality of positions relative thereto, to selectively vary the distance between the frame-spaced apart members pivot axis and the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means.

6. The machine of claim 5 wherein the frame is positioned substantially vertically with the drapery support means in said upper position.

7. The machine of claim 4 and further comprising pivotal link means interconnecting the drapery support means and frame for providing that the drapery support means remain in substantially the same orientation about the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means upon pivotal movement of the frame relative to the spaced-apart members.

8. The machine of claim 7 wherein said cantilevered frame comprises a generally U-shaped portion the legs of which are pivotally secured relative to the spacedapart members, a first elongated member slidable along one of said legs, and a second elongated member slidable along the other of said legs, the drapery support means being associated with said first and second elongated members, and means for selectively securing each elongated member relative to its associated leg in a plurality of positions relative thereto, to selectively vary the distance between the frame spaced-apart members pivot axis and the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means.

9. The machine of claim 8 wherein the frame is positioned substantially vertically with the drapery support means in said upper position.

10. The machine of claim I wherein said frame further comprises a finger support member, and wherein said drapery support means comprise a plurality of fingers movable along and supported by the finger support member, and means for selectively urging the fingers relatively together along said finger support member. and for releasing said fingers to allow said fingers to be selectively spread apart along said finger support member.

11. The machine of claim 10 wherein the means for selectively urging and releasing the fingers comprise a handle member pivotally secured relative to the finger support member, along which the fingers are movable, on one side of the plurality of fingers, a rod member pivotally secured to the handle member, and a bracket slidably mounted on the finger support member on the other side of the fingers, and secured relative to the rod, so that pivotal movement of the handle member in one direction urges the bracket toward the fingers to in turn urge the fingers together, and pivotal movement of the handle member in the other direction moves the bracket to release the fingers.

12. The machine of claim 11 and means for allowing selective release of the bracket from the rod and selective movement of the bracket along the rod and finger support member away from the fingers. 

1. A drapery processing machine comprising: a base unit having two spaced-apart members; a frame pivotally mounted to the spaced-apart members; drapery support means operable to secure the top folds of a drapery, said drapery support means being connected with said frame to swing generally therewith to a lower position upon pivoting of the frame in one direction, and to an upper position upon pivoting of the frame in the other direction; and means for selectively securing the frame relative to the spaced-apart members with the drapery support means in said upper position.
 2. The machine of claim 1 and further comprising a drapery pleater bar for gripping the lower pleats of a drapery, said drapery pleater bar extending between the spaced-apart members and movably mounted thereto to be moved vertically upwardly and downwardly along the spaced-apart members, and means for selectively moving the drapery pleater bar upwardly and downwardly relative to the spaced-apart members.
 3. The machine of claim 1 and further comprising pivotal link means interconnecting the drapery support means and frame for providing that the drapery support means remain in substantially the same orientation about the longiTudinal axis of the drapery support means upon pivotal movement of the frame relative to the spaced-apart members.
 4. The machine of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a cantilevered frame pivotally mounted to the spaced-apart members.
 5. The machine of claim 4 wherein said cantilevered frame comprises a generally U-shaped portion the legs of which are pivotally secured relative to the spaced-apart members, a first elongated member slidable along one of said legs, and a second elongated member slidable along the other of said legs, the drapery support means being associated with said first and second elongated members, and means for selectively securing each elongated member relative to its associated leg in a plurality of positions relative thereto, to selectively vary the distance between the frame-spaced apart members pivot axis and the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means.
 6. The machine of claim 5 wherein the frame is positioned substantially vertically with the drapery support means in said upper position.
 7. The machine of claim 4 and further comprising pivotal link means interconnecting the drapery support means and frame for providing that the drapery support means remain in substantially the same orientation about the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means upon pivotal movement of the frame relative to the spaced-apart members.
 8. The machine of claim 7 wherein said cantilevered frame comprises a generally U-shaped portion the legs of which are pivotally secured relative to the spaced-apart members, a first elongated member slidable along one of said legs, and a second elongated member slidable along the other of said legs, the drapery support means being associated with said first and second elongated members, and means for selectively securing each elongated member relative to its associated leg in a plurality of positions relative thereto, to selectively vary the distance between the frame spaced-apart members pivot axis and the longitudinal axis of the drapery support means.
 9. The machine of claim 8 wherein the frame is positioned substantially vertically with the drapery support means in said upper position.
 10. The machine of claim 1 wherein said frame further comprises a finger support member, and wherein said drapery support means comprise a plurality of fingers movable along and supported by the finger support member, and means for selectively urging the fingers relatively together along said finger support member, and for releasing said fingers to allow said fingers to be selectively spread apart along said finger support member.
 11. The machine of claim 10 wherein the means for selectively urging and releasing the fingers comprise a handle member pivotally secured relative to the finger support member, along which the fingers are movable, on one side of the plurality of fingers, a rod member pivotally secured to the handle member, and a bracket slidably mounted on the finger support member on the other side of the fingers, and secured relative to the rod, so that pivotal movement of the handle member in one direction urges the bracket toward the fingers to in turn urge the fingers together, and pivotal movement of the handle member in the other direction moves the bracket to release the fingers.
 12. The machine of claim 11 and means for allowing selective release of the bracket from the rod and selective movement of the bracket along the rod and finger support member away from the fingers. 